Road Warriors Live

While getting prepared for the Walt Disney World Vacation Trip I was doing some research into what people would like to know. Surprisingly I found the same question over and over again.

How do I save money on my Disney World Vacation when it comes to a hotel?

It’s a great question and there is an easy answer.

If were not traveling in a Motor Home and going to Walt Disney World I would check out Disney Vacation Homes
.

I used to be a Cast member at Disney World and lived pretty close.

When I used to drive to work I would take the back roads and never see a soul. I was just back there a few months ago and there are houses and condos all up and down that road now. It’s about 10-15 minutes from Disney and once you get out of the parks you are off the main roads and out of traffic VERY quickly. Even if you leave as the parks are closing you deal with minimum traffic. You could make it back to the condo before someone who left at the same time as you gets from Magic Kingdom to Downtown Disney (it’s that close).

They built a ton of Disney Vacation Homes
during the housing boom.

Florida went through it just like the rest of the country and even as prices went through the roof. Everyone was still buying even if they lived overseas. They all had the intention of having a place to stay while there and then rent them out when they are gone. Those who just wanted to flip for a profit got stuck when everything crashed. It was especially bad in Florida because housing prices far surpassed what the Local residents could afford. Everyone that bought has gotten stuck. From what I understand Foreclosure rates in the area are as high as 60% of the people that bought during this time period. The Disney Vacation Home
market is flooded with units and if you shop around you should be able to get a VERY good deal.

If you call and the rates seem high to you grab a national paper like the USA today and see if you can find anything in the area. You should be able to save a ton of money on lodging (make sure you check the address in Google maps). Some people say close to Disney and it’s an hour away. If it’s off Old Lake Wilson road you are really close and it’s within 5-15 minutes.

If you hit one of the grocery stores a little further away you will save a ton there too. The grocery store that is out the back entrance (by Downtown Disney) is way overpriced. There is a Walmart in Kissimee but depending where you are staying there is also a SuperWalmart off of HWY 27. It has great prices and most of the locals shop there (my Mom does).

A couple other tips is get whatever you can sun block, autograph books, disposable camera, and anything else before you go or at Walmart when you get there. You will pay an arm and a leg if you buy them “on property”.

If you go early then leave in the mid-afternoon and come back when everyone rests up you are close enough to do that and skip paying for one meal at Disney prices. Plus you can catch the, fireworks, or one of the Light Show, or a Night Parade. Everyone else will be exhausted and you will be ready to go. You will see everyone just dragging their screaming tired kids and you will be ready to do some shopping or play some mini-golf. Just make sure you check the guide for park hours. During the “off season” the parks close pretty early. Off season is normally when all the kids are in school. During the holidays, Summer, and Spring break everything is open later and there is more to do at night.

The perks of going “Off Season” is the parks are not that crowded. There are almost no lines at all and you can do a whole park in a few hours (that’s why the parks close early). Everyone is done for the day and there is no reason to stick around. The bad part of “Off Season” is the wether can be unpredictable. I have had to wear a thick wool coat and gloves while working in the park. Add a little rain to that and it’s miserable. It’s also a little harder to get to all of the shows it’s not that they are full, but because of the shortened hours there are not as many times to choose from. You can run into a problem when one show let’s out your on the opposite end of the park from one that is about to start. And of course that’s the last showing of the day. If you really want to get in and out of the parks quickly go on a cold rainy day. If you can handle it the parks are almost empty.

Another great way to do the Disney Experience and save a little cash is to visit the Resorts after the parks have closed. Most have shows that are free and all of them are worth a look. As a cast member I would always meet friends at one of the resorts to have a beer or visit one of the shops. If your planning on shopping you will pay retail but as always window shopping is free and gives you some great ideas of what to search for on Ebay once you get back home.

Here is the link for Disney Vacation Homes
one more time.

Here is more detailed info on What to Know Before You Go on a Disney World Vacation